Storage battery.



J. L. LOTSCH.

STORAGE BATTERY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.l4\ 1 918.

1 8%,?" 80, Patented Apr. 22,1919.

tion properly.

JOHN L. LO'ESCH, 01F BROOKLYN, NEW! YOlltK.

STORAGE BATTERY.

naonvso.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 22, 1919.,

Application filed August M, 1918. serial No. 249,787.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, JOHN L. Lorrsorr, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Brooklyn,county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented a certain newand useful Improvement in Storage Batteries, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to Wet batteries, and more particularly to storagebatteries for use in motor vehicles, and has for its objects to providemeans for filling the cells with liquid and for replenishing the same tocompensate for evaporation, etc.

l have discovered that one of the constant sources of trouble to themotorist is caused by the failure of the storage battery to funcln orderto overcome this source of trouble, it is necessary that the battery bealways fully charged, and also to have the required amount of Water ineach cell so that the plates be sufficiently covered. in order to keepthe battery'in good condition, it must be constantly kept underobservation, and motorists must carry a water bottle of distilled wateri'Eor use as and when required. The failure or omission to carry thebottle of Water makes it necessary to stop at a garage, or some placewhere dis tilled water is obtainable; (infrequently, one neglects tocarry the bottle of distilled water). To ascertain whether the batteryis fully charged, it is likewise necessary to have a hydrometer, so thatone may take frequent readings of the electrolytic-solution oi thebatteries. lit invariably happens that one usually neglects to takealong a hydrometer, and consequently it is impossible to determine thecondition of the battery, until trouble manifests itself through thefact that the-battery will no longer perform its proper functions.

The objects of this invention are to overcome the difficultieshereinbetore noted, and to provide a storage battery which will haveareserve tank of distilled Water, having ready communication with thebattery, having automatic supply means, and employing in connection withthe battery, hydrometer equipment so that readings oi the specificgravity of the solution therein may be always visible and determinable,and means so that the amount of solution is indicated for observationthrough visual means.

"A further object is to provide means whereby the level of the liquid inthe cells and the specific gravity thereof may be ascertained withoutopening the cells.

A further object is to provide means for automatically filling the cellsof the battery with liquid.

A further object is to provide means for storing a reserve supply ofliquid, to indicate the quantity of reserve supply of liquid, and toprovide means for replenishing the reserve liquid supply to compensatefor usage, etc.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means of thecharacter described, which are simple in construction, thoroughlyreliable and efiicient in its purpose and operation.

With these and other objects in view to be more fully set forthhereinafter, the invention consists in the novel construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described in thespecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings consideredtogether or separately.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety ofmechanical expressions, one of which for the purpose of illustrating theinvention, is shown in the accompanying drawings.

The invention will be first described in connection with theaccompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of my invention,wherein similar reference characters are used to designate correspondingparts throughout the several views, and then more specifically definedand indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a "storage battery containingthree cells, the

section being taken on the line ll oi Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 3-is a detail front elevation of the tank filling opening and thecover therefor; and

Fig.4 is an enlarged detail section on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

' My invention may be employed in connection with any form of wetbattery for use in any situation, but I have illustrated it inconnection with a storage battery for use in motor vehicles.

' In the drawings, 1 indicates a casing or container made of anysuitable material, in which is contained a plurality of jars 2 ofdi-electric material, each of which with its positive grids 3 andnegative grids 4 and electrolyte 5 constitutes a cell. The'positivegrids 3 are connected to an element 6 which pi'ojects through the cover7 of the jar and the negative grids 4 have a similar connection 8. Bymeans of the connections 7 and 8 the cells may be properly connectedtogether and to the leads.- 1

'Each jar 2 is provided at one side with an aperture, opening, or Window9 which is covered by a transparent panel 10 preferably of heavy glass.The transparent panel is affixed, attached, fastened or inserted in anywell known manner. The panel carries integrally therewith a tubularwell- 11 open at the top and bottom in order that the electrolyte of thecell may enter the same.

7 'A properly balanced and graduated hydrometer 12 is carried in eachwell and is free to float in the electrolyte. The side of the casing 1in proximity to each window 9 is provided with an opening 13 throughwhich the level of the liquid in the jar and the hydrometer may beobserved.

Mounted preferably on top of the casing 1 is a supplemental casing orbox 14 carrying a tank 15 containing a solution of distilled water, forrefilling the cells of the storage battery. 1

A plurality of tubes 16 corresponding in number to the number of cells,communicate with the bottom of the tank, and each tube enters an openingin the cover of a jar 2.

p I have shown the lower end of each tube as tapered to engage a taperedopening in the jar cover to form a close fit between those parts, but Idesire to have it understood that any other form of joint may be emloyed. v

ach tube.16 is provided with a valve 17, the stem of which projectsthrough a wall of the casing 14 and 1s provided with a handle 17 bymeans of which the valve may be opened or closed. The tank 15 carries afillingtube 18 which is provided with a cover 19 to prevent the entranceof dirt or dust. One slde of the tank is provided with a transparentpanel 20 through which the level of the water in the tank may beobserved, and the casing 14 is cut away opposite the panel 20.

I have shown the casing 14,348 secured to the top of the casing 1, bymeans of hooks 21 locked to the casing 1 by bolts and nuts 22 but anyothergasteningmeans may be em-- I ployed.

It will be understood that all of the parts I may be constructed ofmaterial which will resist the action of solution in cells and the gasesgenerated therein.

lhe apparatus may be located at any convenient point on the vehicle andmounted in momeo any desired portion or Wall of thebody. Preferably itisv designed to be carried 1n the engine hood and supported in front ofthe dash 23 Fig. 2 which is cut away so that the fronts of the casings 1and 14: may form a part of the dash and be at all times visible to theoperator. The mouth of the filling tube. 18 is flush with the backof thedas tion can be carried out in other ways without departin from thespirit of my inventi on, and, t erefore, I claim broadly the right toemploy all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of theappended claims, and by means of which obects of my invention areattained, and the new results accomplished,.as herein set forth, as itis obvious that the particular embodiment herein shown and described isonly one of many that can be employed to attain these objects andaccomplish these results.

Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is as follows:

1. A battery comprising a non-transparent jar, adapted to contain aliquid, an opening in one side of said jar, a transparent panel fittedin said opening, and a well fixed to and carried by said panel andprojecting into and communicating with the interior of thejar, and ahydrometer in said well exposed to view through said panel and open-1ng.- j

2. Abattery, comprising a non-transparent j a'r, adapted to contain aliquid, an opening in one side wall of said jar, a transparent panelfitted in said opening, and a well fording communication between thereserve tank and jar.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a battery jar adapted tocontain a liquid, a tank or container for a reserve supply of liquidarranged adjacent to said jar, means for indicating the level of thecontents of the reserve tank, means for afiording communication betweenthe reserve tank and jar, and means for controlling communicatlonbetween the tank and jar.

5. A battery adapted to be supported in 'a wall or other structure uponone side thereof, comprising a jar adapted to contain a liquid, a casingfor the jar having an opening in one of its side walls adapted to besupported in an opening in said wall, an opening in one side of the jaropposite the opening in said casing, a transparent panel fitted in theopening in said jar, a well adjacent to said panel extending into andcommunlcating with the interior of the jar, and a hydrometer in saidwell exposed to view through said panel and openings on the other sideof said supporting wall.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a battery jar adapted tocontain a liquid, a casing for the jar having an opening in one of itssidewalls adapted to be supported in an opening in a wall or otherfinture and projecting from one side thereof, an opening in one side ofthe jar opposite the opening in said casing, a transparent panel in theopening in said jar, a well in said jar adjacent to said panelcommunicating with the interior of the jar, a hydrometer in said welland exposed to view through said panel and openings on the other side ofsaid supporting wall, a reserve liquid supply tank and easing thereformounted upon the jar casing and fitted in an opening in said supportingwall, a transparent panel in said supply tank, and an opening in saidtank casing opposite said panel, thereby exposing to view the liquidlevel in said supply tank upon the opposite side of the supporting wall,and means for discharging the liquid from said tank into said jar.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a battery jar adapted tocontain a liquid, a casing for the jar having an opening in one of itsside walls adapted to be supported in an opening in a wall or otherfixture and projecting from one side thereof, an opening in one side ofthe jar opposite the opening in said casing. a transparent panel in theopening in said jar. a well in said jar adjacent to said panelcommunicating with the interior of the jar. a hydroineter in said welland exposed to view through said panel and openings on the other side ofsaid supporting wall. a reserve liquid supply tank and casing therefortndunted upon the jar casing and fitted in an opening in said supportingwall, a transparent panel in.said, supply tank, and an opening in saidtank casing opposite said panel. thereby exposing to view the liquidlevel in said supply tank upon the opposite side of the supporting wall,means for discharging the liouid from said tank into said jar, and afilling tube fixed to said tank and adapted to be fitted in an openingin the supporting Wall and opening upon the opposite side thereof.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a battery jar adapted tocontain a liquid, a casing for the jar having an opening in one of itsside walls and adapted to be supported in an opening in a wall or otherfixture and projecting from one side thereof, an opening in one side ofthe jar opposite the opening in the casing, a transparent panel fittedin the opening in said jar, a well in said jar-communicating with theinterior thereof, a hydrometer in said well exposed to view through saidpanel and openings on the other side of the supporting Wall. a reserveliquid supply tank and casing therefor mounted upon the jar casing andfitting in an opening in the supporting wall, an opening in the top ofsaid jar. a transparent panel in said supply tank, and an opening insaid tank casing opposite said panel thereby exposing to view the liquidlevel in said tank upon the opposite side of the supporting wall. a tubeconnected with the bottom of said reserve tank adapted to removablyengage the opening in the top of said jar, a valve in said tube forcontrolling communication between said tank and jar, and a valve stemand handle therefor extending through the tank casing and exposed foroperation on the opposite side of the supporting wall. I

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a battery jar adapted tocontain a liquid, a casing for the jar having an opening in one of itsside walls and adapted to be supported in an opening in a wall or otherfixture and projecting from one side thereof. an opening in one side ofthe jar opposite the opening in the casing, a transparent panel fittedin the opening in said jar. a well in said jar communicating with theinterior thereof, a hydroineter in said well exposed to view throughsaid panel and openings on the other side of the supporting wall, areserve liquid supply tank and easing therefor mounted upon the jarcasing and fitting in an opening in the supporting wall. a taperedopening in the top of said jar, a transparent panel in said supply tank,and an opening in said tank casing opposite said panel thereby exposingto view the liquid level in said tank upon the opposite side of thesupporting wall, a tapered tube connect ed with the bottom ofsaidreserve tank and adapted to removably engage the tapered opening inthe top of said jar, a valve in said tube for controlling communicationbetween said tank and jar. and a valve stem and handle thereforextending through the tank casing and exposed for operation on theopposite side of the supporting wall.

it). lln an apparatus oi? the character described, the combination of aseries of batlltl tery jars adapted to contain a liquid, a eover foreach jar having an opening therein, a casing for said jars having aseries of openings in one of its side walls and adapted to be supportedin an opening in a wall or other structure and, projecting from one sidethereof, openings in said jars opposite the openings in said casing, atransparent panel fitted in the opening of each jar, a Well in each jaradjacent to said panels communica'ting with the interior of the jars, ahydrometer in each of the'wells exposed to view through said panels andthe openings in the casing on the other side of said supporting wall areserve liquid supply tank and easing therefor mounted upon the jarcasing and fitted in an opening in the supporting Wall, an opening insaid casing and a transparent panel in the wall of said tank, wherebythe liquid level in said tank is exposed to view upon the opposite sideof the supporting wall, a series of tubes communicating with andprojecting from the bottom of said tank and adapted to removably engagethe openings in the tops of said jars to afi'ord communication betweensaid tank and jars, valves in said tubes for controlling communicationbetween said tank and jars, operating stems and handles for said valvesextending through the wall of said tank casing and exposed and operableon the opposite side of the supporting wall or fixture, a filling tubefor said tank projecting through an opening in the supporting wall andopening upon the opposite slde thereof,

and a closure for said filling tube.

This specification signed and witnessed this 12th day of August, 1918.

JOHN L. LOTSCH.

Witnesses:

C. WARSHAW, M. Jones.

